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Kyle Mathes-Orr

Kyle Mathes-Orr, 18, of Tehachapi, was among nominations to U.S. service academies announced last week by Congressman Kevin McCarthy.

Nominees were selected in a competitive process in which a number of highly qualified 23rd Congressional District high school students applied for consideration, according to a news release from McCarthy.

Mathes-Orr was a principal nominee to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He attends Tehachapi High School. He is Senior Class Vice President and the Captain of the Men's Varsity Soccer Team. Outside of school, he is a Line Boy for Skylark North Mountain Valley Airport in Tehachapi. He aspires to be an officer in the Navy and command warships, submarines, or aviation squadrons.

In addition to receiving a principal nomination to the United States Naval Academy, he also received a competing alternate nomination to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

"I am proud to nominate students from my district who display the core values of honor and courage in their commitment to serve our country," said Congressman McCarthy. "I congratulate each of them in their pursuit of becoming future leaders in our Armed Services."

Each candidate was interviewed by Congressman McCarthy's Academy Interview Committee and the selections were submitted to the Congressman. The 2013 Academy Committee Members are: Cam Martin of Tehachapi, External Affairs, NASA and parent to two Naval Academy graduates; Colonel Lars Hoffman, Commandant, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, 1988 USAFA Graduate; Kern County Superior Court Judge Susan Gill of Bakersfield; and Dr. John Snavely, Superintendent, Porterville Unified School District who was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force after 4 years of service at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.